Health Information

Discusses how to live with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device that helps control heart rhythm. Gives safety guidelines and tips for travel, exercise, and managing anxiety. Includes interactive tool to test your knowledge.

Discusses how to live with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device that helps control heart rhythm. Gives safety guidelines and tips for travel, exercise, and managing anxiety. Includes interactive tool to test your knowledge.

Heart Problems: Living With an ICD

Introduction

An implantable
cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) helps protect you against dangerous heart
rhythms. It's important to know how this device works and how to keep it
working right. Learning a few important facts about ICDs can
help you get the best results from your device.

Avoid strong magnetic and electrical fields.
These can keep your device from working right. Most office
equipment and home appliances are safe to use. Learn which things you should
use with caution and which you should stay away from.

Know what to do when you get a shock from your ICD.

Be sure that
any doctor, dentist, or other health professional you see knows that you have an
ICD.

Always carry a card in your wallet that tells
what kind of device you have. Wear medical alert jewelry that says you have an
ICD.

Have your ICD checked regularly to
make sure it's working right.

It's common to be anxious that the ICD might shock you. But you can take steps to think positively and worry less about living with an ICD.

How do you get the best results from an ICD?

When you have an ICD, it's important to avoid strong magnetic
and electrical fields. The lists below show some electrical and magnetic sources and
how they may affect your ICD. For best results, follow these
guidelines. These safety tips also apply to devices that combine an ICD and a pacemaker. If you have questions, check with your doctor.

Your doctor or the manufacturer of your ICD can give you a full list of things that you need to avoid and
things that are safe to use.

Following safety tips

Safety guidelines for pacemakers and ICDs

Stay away from:

CB or ham
radios

High-voltage power lines. Stay at least
25 ft (7.5 m)
away.

Large magnets

MRI machines.
An MRI uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures
of organs and structures inside the body.

Use with caution:

Cell phones:

Do not carry a cell phone in a
pocket directly over the pacemaker or ICD.

Hold the phone to the
ear on the side away from your device.

Keep a phone at least
6 in. (15 cm) away from the
pacemaker or ICD.

MP3 player headphones:

Do not keep headphones in a chest
pocket. Do not drape headphones over your chest.

Security or anti-theft detectors (metal detectors):

Walk through the detector at a normal pace.

Don't stand near or lean against the gates or archway.

Keep the following devices at least
12 in. (30.5 cm) away from the
pacemaker or ICD:

What to do if you get a shock

If you get a shock from your ICD, follow the plan you set up with your doctor. In general, your plan depends on how you feel after you get a shock and how many times you get a shock.

After one shock:

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you feel bad or have symptoms like chest pain.

Call your doctor soon if you feel fine right away. Your doctor may want to talk about the shock and schedule a follow-up visit.

After a second shock within 24 hours:

Call your doctor right away, even if you feel fine right away.

After a shock, do some breathing exercises. They may help you relax.

Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
Put one hand on your belly just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest.

Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. Your chest should not move.

Breathe out through pursed lips as if you were whistling. Feel the hand on your belly go in, and use it to push all the air out.

Breathe in and out like this until you feel more relaxed.

Having medical tests and procedures

Most medical tests and procedures won't affect your ICD,
except for MRI, which uses strong magnets. To be safe:

Let your doctors, dentists, and other health
professionals know that you have an ICD before you have any test,
procedure, or surgery.

Have your dentist talk to your doctor
before you have any dental work or surgery.

If you need physical
therapy, have the therapist contact your doctor before using ultrasound, heat
therapy, or electrical stimulation.

Traveling

You can travel safely with a cardiac device. But you'll want to be prepared before you go.

Bring a list of the names and phone numbers of your doctors.

Bring your cardiac device identification card with you.

Know what to do when going through airport security.

Driving

If you have an arrhythmia or an ICD that makes it dangerous for you to drive, your doctor might suggest that you stop driving, at least for a short time. You probably don't have to stop or limit driving if your arrhythmia doesn't cause bad symptoms.
To learn more, see Heart Rhythm Problems and Driving.

Letting others know

Carry an ICD identification card with you at
all times. The card should include manufacturer information and the model
number. Your doctor can give you an ID card.

Wear medical alert jewelry stating that you have an
ICD. You can buy this at most drugstores.

Going to follow-up visits

If you take heart rhythm medicines, take them as
prescribed. The medicines work with your ICD to help your heart
keep a steady rhythm.

If you think you have an infection near your device, call your doctor right away. Signs of an infection include:

Changes in the skin around your device, such as swelling, warmth, redness, and pain.

An unexplained fever.

Exercising safely

Ask your doctor what sort of activity and intensity is safe for you. ICDs are set to shock at a specific heart rate.
So your target heart rate during exercise will probably be at least 10 to 15
beats below the ICD discharge heart rate.

You doctor can help you learn how to use a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) as a way to tell how hard you are exercising. This can help you keep your heart rate at a safe level during exercise.

Stop exercising and call your doctor if you have:

Pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm,
jaw, or shoulder.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or
nausea.

Unusual shortness of breath or tiredness.

A heartbeat that feels unusual for you: too fast, too
slow, or skipping a beat.

Other symptoms that cause you
concern.

A shock from your ICD.

Having sex

Most people who have an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) can have an active sex life. If your doctor says that you can exercise and be active, then it's probably safe for you to have sex.

After you get the device implanted, you'll let your chest heal for a short time before resuming sex. If you or your partner is worried about resuming sex, talk with your doctor about your concerns. Your doctor or another health professional can give you support and advice.

What if I get shocked? Many people with ICDs worry that the ICD might shock them during sex. The risk of getting a shock during sex seems to be the same as during any other similar level of exercise. If you get a shock during sex, you will follow your plan about when to call your doctor.

Will my partner get shocked? Some people worry that if they get shocked during sex, their partner might be hurt. But your partner will not be shocked or feel any pain if you get shocked.

Coping with worry about ICD shocks

You may feel nervous about living with an ICD, and you may worry about getting shocked.

The shock can be uncomfortable. It may feel like you are being kicked in the chest. For many people, getting a shock can cause anxiety and depression.

It's common to be worried about living with an ICD. After all, you don't know when a shock might occur, and a shock could be a reminder that your heart is not as healthy as it could be. But if you take a few simple steps, you can feel better about having an ICD.

Try to replace a negative thought about the ICD with a positive one. For example: When you start to worry about getting a shock, remind yourself that the ICD is there to help save your life. Or try to focus on the positive things in your life, such as loving relationships, pleasant activities, or good friends.

Talk to your doctor about making an action plan for what to do if you get shocked.

Don't make changes in what you do. You may want to avoid an action because you think it caused the shock. But a shock can occur at any time, and you can't prevent shocks by your actions alone. Don't stop doing things you enjoy to try to avoid a shock.

Planning for the future

As you plan for your future and your end of life, include plans for your ICD. You can make the decision to turn off your ICD as part of the medical treatment you want at the end of life. You can put this information in your advance directive.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.